Bodysurfing Hippos – Eco-tourism in Gabon

Lorango National Park is one of 13 national parks in Gabon. These were established in 2002 by presidential decree and they cover 10% of the country. The rationale behind this was to turn Gabon into an African equivalent of Costa Rica, a popular eco-tourism spot. A key motivator in this strategy is to reduce the country’s economic dependence on oil.

The transition from a petro-economy to tourism has been fraught with difficulties, as Rombout Swanborn, investor in Lorango, has discovered. The chief problems are with the country’s poor infrastructure and problems with local police and immigration officials. There are also cultural differences that need to be resolved between Western investors and a bashful native population.

It would be a shame if intrepid investors like Swanborn were discouraged. Tourists all over the world are being deprived of the amazing spectacle of hippos frolicking, and bodysurfing, in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa.

While we wait for Gabon to get its eco-touring act together, bodysurfing hippos may be viewed in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrp3Xl-uWtA. 

Although these fun-loving creatures look harmless enough, they are extremely dangerous and very hazardous towards man. If you are lucky enough to observe this amazing phenomenon up close and personal, avoid getting too close!